Knocknacarra to finally get community centre built

Date Published: 18-Sep-2009

A decade-long saga of efforts to provide a community centre for Knocknacarra may come to an end if councillors approve the latest plans – for the Cappagh Road.
The City Manager, Joe MacGrath is to present his latest proposal to councillors on Monday night for approval, plans to build a community centre alongside the dressing rooms at the Cappagh Park playing pitches.
He met with all councillors from the Galway West Ward on Wednesday and informed him that he was in a position to make a presentation of a plan to set the Cappagh Park proposal in motion.
Councillors were thrilled to hear of the latest development, the closest they have been to having a community centre in their area.
The long saga started with a commitment from the developer of Joyces Supermarket to provide funding for a community centre. €300,000 was set aside by Pat Joyce and a number of meeting rooms were provided for community use above his supermarket but the centre itself was never built, not only because of lack of funding but there was no agreement on a location.
Then there was an attempt at a private public partnership at Millar’s Lane but that plan fell through last Spring following strong opposition from local residents and a number of councillors.
Councillors decided last May to look at a number of alternative options in their determination to provide the much needed public amenity.
Since then, the City Council has worked on providing a design and a financial plan for a community centre located at Cappagh Road.
Cllr Catherine Connolly said she welcomed the confirmation from the City Manager that the proposed Community Centre at Knocknacarra was to go ahead, following the full approval of the Council on Monday.
She said this was positive news and was a good decision as it would complement the facilities already at the Cappagh Road.
She added that more long term plans for a swimming pool could be accommodated there in the future.
“From ongoing feedback from the community it has always been the preferred site for a Community Centre.
The plans for the new scaled down Community Centre is being progressed in house and if approval is forthcoming at the Council Meeting the project can be expedited.
“With regard to the planning situation it has yet to be clarified whether the Community Centre can progress as a part 8 and/or whether it will require a material change to the City Development Plan, but this issue will be clarified on Monday.”
An approximate construction budget of €3 million has been given for the project, most of which has to be raised as a loan.
Cllr Niall McNeilis also welcomed the good news saying it would have long term benefits for the whole community.
“It will be built by the city council, owned by the city and run by the city, through the community and that is a welcome aspect of this. This is truly a community amenity, what people wanted from the start,” he added.